Bearing for ore classifiers



y 1941. s. BOUSMAN 2,241,178

- BEARING FOR ORE CLASSIFIERS Filed March 15, 1940 INVENTOR SAMUEL I. BOUSNAN ATTORNEY Patented May 6, 1941 uni-"rs a stares PATENT ore-res BEARING FOR ORE *CLASSIFIERS" Samuell. Bousman, .saejramentoaGalifs assignor. to. Western Machinery Company, SanFrancisco;

UaliiZ, a corporation of Utah 6 Claims.

be properly lubricated andthat this lubrication M can be eiiected without moving the bearing-from the operative position;

In classifiers of the type mentioned, it is neces= sary to provide means for raising the lower bearing and the endof the screw conveyor thatis-connected therewith, so as to'prevent the parts from being-locked by the settling of thesediment in case of accidental stoppageof the machine.

' It is-the object of this invention to produce a bearingof a simple and substantial constructicn that can be readily lubricated while it is submerged and which will prevent liquid containing abradant's from entering the bearings during operation.

The above and any other objects that may be come apparent as this description proceeds are attained'by means of a construction and an arrangement of parts that will now'be described in detail, and for this purpose reference will be had to the accompanying drawing in which the invention has been illustrated in its preferred form and in which:

Figure 1 is an end view of the bearing which forms the subject of this invention;

Figure 2 is a vertical diametrical section of the bearing;

Figure 3 is an endview of the lower end of a classifier showing-the position of the bearing when in use; and

Figure 4 is a side elevation of a classifier showing the general arrangement of the parts and the positions of the'upper and lower bearings during operation. 7

Referring now to the drawing, reference numeral 5 designates one of the bottom frame members of the classifier and reference numeral 7 the top. These two members are connectedby suitable frame members 8 and sheet metal sides 9 are provided between the bottom and the top members.

Since this invention does not relate to the construction of the classifier as" a whole, but is limited I to the submerged bearing; the classifier has been indicated in a. more or lessdiagrammatic manner and reference will be made to suchpartsonly as are essentialfor the proper explanation and description of the invention.

At the lower'endof theclassifier; aframe comprising vertical side members id" is provided. Theseside members-are connected to the bottom framemem-bers 518:!!(21218 also connected with the transverse angle iron H and top channel I2. Gusset plates [3 areprovided between the upper ends ofmembers ifl andthe-top channel 12; A plate 1 3 formsthe lower-endwall-of the classifier and secured to the inside of-this plate are angle iron guides [5. A bearing which has-beenshown by dotted lines in Figures 3 and 5 and which has been indicatedas a-whole by reference numeral' I6; is; slidable between the flanges of the two angle iron guides I5 and-isysuspended by means of arod H whose upper end-'is'provided witha threaded section Hlto which a threaded "hand-wheel liiis connected. The hub of" the hand wheel rests on a plate M'that is supported on channel l2- and by rotating the hand wheel the bearing can be raised and lowered.

In Figures land 2 the construction of bearing I6 has been shown andfrom these viewsit will be-seen that-it consists of a steel member having a' tubular stub shaft 2| that extends fromonc side andzwhich issurroundedby an annular cylindrical opening 22. The cylindrical opening or recess is surrounded-by a wall 23am forms the bearing housing. It will be, seen that shaft, 2.! has a cylindrical surface that extends to the point indicatedby reference numerali at which point thedia-meteris:somewhat.decreased whereupon -acylindrical section 2 5- of smaller diameter is formed. The last mentioned cylindrical surface tcrminates'at shoulder 26 where the diameter is again decreased and" the outer circumference provided with threads 21 for the reception of a nut 28;

A bushing 29' surrounds the first mentioned cylindrical part of the shaft and this is held against rotation-on the shaft by means of one or more" dowels 38; Reference numeral 3| designates the hollow shaft of the classifier screw whoseflights have been designated by reference numeral 32. A flange 33is welded to the lower end of shaft 3| as indicated at 34. Flange 33 is provided witha plurality of threaded openings for the receptionof, the threaded ends of tap bolts 35 thatpass through openings inrthe, flange 35 and serve'to-"connect the two flanges in the manner shown in Figure 2. Flange 35 forms part of a hollow cylindrical bearing 31 whose inner surface rests upon the outer surface of bushing 29. An inwardly extending flange 38 is provided at the end of the cylindrical bearing surface of part 31 and this flange has an opening for the reception of the reduced cylindrical section 25. A thrust bearing comprising ball races 39 and 40 are positioned on the cylindrical section 25 and are separated by balls in the manner shown. A washer 4| separates the ball race 40 from nut 28 and the nut is held against rotation by means of a cotter pin 42. 43 is threadedly connected with the inner surface of the cylindrical flange 44 that projects from the radial flange 36, and the end of member 43 is closed by a plate 45 that may be welded thereto. A wearing sleeve 46 surrounds the bearing 31 and the space between this sleeve and the inner surface of the cylindrical wall 23 is filled with a suitable packing material 41. An annular packing gland member 48 is secured to the open end of the wall 23 and is provided with an inclined rib 49 which serves to hold the packing material from outward movement. At angularly spaced points in a circle, openings 50 are provided and in these openings are positioned springs that are spaced from the bearing by means -of flat packing rings 52. The openings 50 are threaded and each has a removable plug 53 by means of which the compression of springs 5| can be adjusted. In the embodiment shown, there are eight openings 50 and the corresponding number of springs and therefore the pressure exerted on the packing material can be adjusted to any extent desired.

Referring now to Figure 2, it will be seen that shaft 2| has an axial opening 54 that extends entirely through the same and the inner end of this opening is closed by a plug 55. An opening 56 extends radially and connects opening 54 with the space between the ball races 39 and 40 and a radial opening 51 extends to the outside of the bearing housing where it is threaded for the reception of a connector 58 to which a flexible hose 59 is connected. The upper end of this hose is provided with a connector 60 by means of which connection is made with an elbow 6| that has a threaded connection with a radial openingin the shaft, which opening communicates with the axial opening that extends to the end of the shaft and which has been designated by reference numeral 62. The bearing housing 23 is provided with two spaced lugs 63 for the reception of the flattened lower end 64 of rod I1. The bearing is attached to the rod by means of pin 65.

The hand wheel I9 is in threaded engagement with the threaded portion 5 of rod l1 and therefore the latter together with the bearing can be raised and lowered by turning the hand wheel.

Whenever the classifier is closed down for any purpose, the lower end of the classifier screw is elevated by means of the hand wheel so as to bring the flights 32 high enough to prevent the screw from being clamped by the sediment which settled when the agitation ceases. When the classifier is again started, the power is supplied while the screw is still in elevated position and after the latter has started to rotate the lower bearing is lowered gradually and by this means the classifier screw cuts its way down into the precipitated sediment.

It is, of course, necessary to keep the lower bearing properly lubricated at all times and to A hollow cylindrical member I in rod l1 and this has been connected by means of hose 53 and associated parts with the axial opening 54- in stub shaft 2|. When a pressure lubricating device is applied to the upper end of rod l1, lubricant is forced downwardly through the hose and into opening 54, whose end is closed by means of a plug55. The lubricant then passes through the radial opening 56 and into the chamber formed by the cylindrical member 43 and end plate 45. The lubricant within this chamber cannot escape into the interior of shaft 3| and upon increase of the pressure, the lubricant will flow through the space between the wall of opening 38 and'the cylindrical surface 25 and continue to flow towards the left between the bunting bushing 29 and the interior of the hollow bearing 31. After the lubricant reaches the bottom of the annular chamber, it will flow radially into the annular space occupied by the packing 41 and will then accomplish this opening 62 has been provided move towards the right and finally emerge in the space between flange 36 and the gland member 48.

Attention is called at this point to the fact that no attempt has been made to keep the lubricant from entering the pulp by which the bearing is surrounded. The grease, as it emerges from the bearings, usually fills the space between the gland member 48 and the flange 33 and thereby forms a seal that prevents grit from penetrating. It is evident that by means of the construction shown, the bearing can always be kept properly lubricated and entirely free from grit or other abradant and therefore it will wear as long as if it were operating in a grit-free medium.

The pulp is fed to the classifier through an opening 66 in sides 9 and the sandvis discharged through an opening 61 at the upper end of the classifier. Power for turning the screw is provided by a motor 68 whose shaft has a pinion that is geared to the spur gear 63. The upper end of shaft 3| is journalled in a bearing 1 which is rigidly connected to two spaced channels 1| that are provided on their under surfaces with downwardly extending lugs 12 which are pivotally connected with the upwardly extending brackets 13 secured to frame members 6.

It will be observed from Figures 1 and 2 that the end of the bearing housing has been provided with spaced parallel guides 14 that are positioned between the adjacent flanges of the guide members l5 and serve to hold the lower bearing from moving transversely during operation.

From the above description it will be apparent that the bearing to which this invention primarily relates is of a simple and substantial construction and can be readily separated from the hollow shaft 3| and lubricated by means of a pressure lubricating device whenever such lubrication is indicated.

Particular attention is called to the fact that the grease for lubrication does not come into contact with the tubular shaft, but is entirely separated from the latter by the cap comprising cylindrical member 43 and plate 45. Since the grease discharged from the bearing enters the pulp, no special provision has been made for diverting this grease and its presence in the annular space between flange 36 and gland member 48 serves as an additional assurance that grit cannot enter the bearing.

It will also be observed that the lubricant enters the bearing through hole 62 in shaft l1 and through the hose 59 which makes it possible to lubricate the bearing while it is immersed and places the lubricant inlet in a convenient position, an ordinary Alemite or similar connection is provided at the upper end of rod IT.

From the above description it will be apparent that the construction described and shown permits the immersed bearing to be lubricated at any time and permits the hollow shaft 3| to be tilted about the pivotal connection between parts 12 and 13 without affecting the driving connection between the motor and spur gear.

Having described the invention what is claimed as new is:

1. Asubmersible bearing comprising, a bearing block having a hollow stub shaft, a tubular bearing rotatable on the shaft, means for holding the shaft and bearing in operative relation, a cup secured to the tubular bearing and enclosing the end of the shaft, means for raising and lowering the bearing, said means comprising a rod pivotally secured at its lower end to the bearing block, a stationary guide for the upper end of the rod, the upper end of the rod having an axial opening, and a flexible tube having its lower end in communication with the opening in the stub shaft and its upper end in communication with the axial opening in the rod whereby the interior of the flexible tube is accessible for the introduction of a lubricant to the bearing.

2. A bearing for use in a submerged position, comprising a circular disk having a central opening, a tubular bearing projecting from one side of the disk in concentric relation therewith, the opening in the disk being smaller than the inside diameter of the tubular bearing whereby an inwardly extending flange is formed, a cylindrical flange extending from the other side of the disk in concentric relation therewith, the inside diameter of the cylindrical flange being larger than the corresponding diameter of the bearing and the outside diameter being less than the diameter of the disk, a closure for the open end of the cylindrical flange, a bearing block having a stub shaft projecting therefrom, said shaft having two cylindrical sections of different diameters, the end section being the smaller, said shaft extending through the tubular bearing and through the central opening in the disk, the end of the shaft being threaded, a nut on the threaded end, and a thrust bearing between the nut and the disk, the shaft having an opening extending therethrough and communicating with the chamber formed by the cylindrical flange and its closure, whereby lubricant can be forced into the chamber and caused to travel outwardly along the bearing to prevent abradants from entering the bearing.

3. A bearing in accordance with claim 2 in which the bearing block has a cylindrical wall surrounding the tubular bearing and spaced from the latter to form an annular chamber, packing material in the annular chamber, and means for compressing the packing material.

4. A submersible bearing for the lower end of a hollow shaft, comprising in combination, a cir cular disk having a central opening, a concentric cylindrical flange of smaller diameter than the disk, for insertion into a tubular shaft, a concentric tubular bearing projectingfrom the other side of the disk, the inside diameter of the tubular bearing being greater than the diameter of the hole in the disk whereby an inwardly extending flange is formed, a bearing block having a stub shaft projecting from one side, said shaft having its end of reduced diameter and provided with threads, the bearing block having a cylindrical wall enclosing the tubular bearing and spaced therefrom to provide an annular chamber for the reception of packing material, the shaft when in position in the tubular bearing projecting through the central opening in the disk, a nut on the threaded end, a thrust bearing positioned between the nut and the disk, a closure for the end of the cylindrical flange whereby a chamber is formed that encloses the end of the bolt, the bolt and the bearing block having an opening communicating with the chamber formed by the cylindrical flange and its closure, packing in the annular chamber, and means for compressing the packing.

5. A submersible bearing for one end of a hollow shaft, comprising in combination, a bearing block having a stub shaft projecting from one side thereof, a cylindrical housing wall surrounding the shaft and spaced therefrom to form an annular chamber, the shaft having two cylindrical sections of different diameters joined by an annular shoulder, the end of the smaller section being threaded, a tubular bearing enclosing the larger shaft section, the bearing terminating in an inwardly extending disk having an opening slightly larger than the smaller section of the shaft, a portion of the disk extending outwardly from the tubular bearing to form a flange, a cylindrical flange extending from the side of the disk opposite from the bearing, the outside diameter of the cylindrical flange being less than that of the disk, the inner surface of the cylindrical flange being threaded, a cup in threaded engagement with the inside of the cylindrical flange, a. nut on the end of the shaft, a thrust bearing between the nut and the inwardly extending flange, a packing in the annular chamber, the shaft having an opening for lubricant, said opening being in communication with the interior of the cup and with the space between the shaft and the tubular bearing.

' 6. A bearing for the lower end of an inclined shaft, said bearing comprising a bearing block having an annular recess on one side thereof, the center portion forming a stub shaft, the stub shaft comprising two cylindrical sections of different diameters joined by an annular shoulder, the end of the stub shaft having a threaded section, a tubular bearing operatively associated with the shaft, one end of the tubular member having a cylindrical opening of a proper diameter to receive the larger cylindrical section of the stub shaft, the cylindrical opening terminating in an inwardly extending flange having an opening whose diameter is slightly greater than the diameter of the smaller cylindrical section of the shaft and slightly less than the diameter of the larger cylindrical section, a flange extending outwardly from the tubular bearing, a cylindrical flange projecting from the side of the last named flange opposite the bearing, the outside diameter of the cylindrical flange being less than that of the outwardly extending flange, the inner surface of the cylindrical flange being threaded, a cup threadedly connected with the cylindrical flange, a nut on the threaded end of the shaft, a thrust bearing between the nut and the inwardly extending flange, packing material in the space between the outer surface of the cylindrical hearing and the outer wall of the annular chamber, and means for compressing the packing, the shaft having an opening for the admission of lubricant, said opening being in communication with the interior of the cup and the thrust bearing.

SAMUEL I. BOUSMAN. 

